Cockroaches (Periplaneta americana Linnaeus Dictyoptera: Blattidae) as Potential Vectors of Bacteria in Federal University Wukari, Nigeria

The cockroaches have become the most common domestic insect pest of public health and epidemiological importance. Their presence raises safety concerns, especially as carriers of food-borne pathogens and food-spoilage organisms. Hence, this study aimed to document the bacteria isolated from the body surface and gut of cockroaches at Federal University Wukari, Nigeria. Using a swab bacteriological technique, investigations were carried out on the body surface and gut of cockroaches picked from sewers, kitchens, and bathrooms from student's hostels and opened fields of the institution. Nutrient and MacConkey agar were used as media. Students t-test was used to statistically compare the bacterial load recorded on samples retrieved from open field vis-à-vis the hostels. From the two sampled sites, the gut had higher colony forming unit (Cfu/ml) of (1.5 ×106±33435.80) vis-à-vis the body surface (6.9×104±13388.88). Marginally higher bacterial isolates were observed on cockroaches retrieved from the open field (25 bacterial isolates) than from students' hostels (23 bacterial isolates). In this study, Staphylococcus aureus was the most predominantly isolated bacterial species from both locations followed by Escherichia coli. Species with lower frequencies were Proteus mirabilis, Bacillus species, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Control and preventive strategies for cockroaches are paramount in suppressing the contamination of food by microbes associated with cockroaches. Additionally, optimum hygiene practices should be instituted in the hostels, food canteens, and clinics/hospitals of the University; and indeed, the host community to avoid the build-up of breeding sites of cockroaches which are known to carry and spread pathogenic bacteria.